Theater, Brush Park, since 1914
Fine Arts Theatre
Standing, closed
- Opened
- 1914
- Style
- Beaux Arts
- Standing
- 112 years
Designed by C. Howard Crane
The Fine Arts Theatre has stood on Woodward Ave. in Brush Park since 1914, 112 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
Fine Arts Theatre today, from the street
What is there now
Standing, closed
- Closed Source: Historic Detroit
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.
The story
The Fine Arts Theatre opened in 1914, during the boom years when the auto industry turned Detroit into one of the fastest growing cities in America.
Credit the design to C. Howard Crane, working in Beaux Arts.
Its doors are closed for now, but the building still stands.
Next time you are nearby, stop at 2954 Woodward Ave and look up.
Timeline
- 1914 Built Designed by C. Howard Crane
- 2026 Today Standing, closed
Where it is
2954 Woodward Ave.
On this map
- 1 Fine Arts Theatre This place
- 2 U.S. Motor Co. Sales & Service Building 180 ft
- 3 First Presbyterian Church 200 ft
- 4 Ecumenical Theological Seminary 230 ft
- 5 Midtown Woodward Historic District 240 ft
- 6 Earle Hotel 300 ft
- 7 The Carlton 360 ft
- 8 First Unitarian Church 420 ft
- 9 Henry P. Pulling House 420 ft
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
C. Howard CraneAmerican architect, 1885 to 1952. Designed the Fox Theater Building (1928) and 30 more in Metro Detroit
Also by C. Howard Crane
- Liberty Theatre 1871
- Adams Theatre and Fine Arts Building 1905
- Comique Theatre 1905
- Ralph E. Burnham House 1908
- Columbia Theatre 1911
- H. Cleland Allison House 1912
More from Detroit in the 1910s
-
Detroit Waldorf School
School, built 1914, by Albert Kahn
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
![Capitol Park Building, [Griswold Street from Capitol Park, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4329-2213-thumb-3f981d9a17.jpg)
Capitol Park Building
Building, built 1913, by Leonard B. Willeke
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
David Whitney Building
Hotel, built 1915, Beaux Arts, by Graham, Burnham & Co.
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Detroit Athletic Club
Building, built 1915, by Albert Kahn
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
![Edelweiss Cafe, [Edelweiss Cafe, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4440-2281-thumb-050a05b82b.jpg)
Edelweiss Cafe
Building, built 1913, Dutch Colonial, by Mildner & Eisen, demolished 1949
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Farwell Building
Building, built 1915, Chicago School, by Harrie W. Bonnah
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
It is in Brush Park. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.
- U.S. Motor Co. Sales & Service Building Building, built 1911, Classical Revival, by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls 180 ft
-
First Presbyterian Church
House of worship, built 1980, Romanesque Revival, by George D. Mason
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
200 ft
-
Ecumenical Theological Seminary
House of worship, built 1891, Richardsonian Romanesque, by Mason & Rice
Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
230 ft
-
Midtown Woodward Historic District
Building
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
240 ft
- Earle Hotel Hotel, built 1914, by Albert Kahn, demolished 1972 300 ft
- The Carlton Building, built 1924, Beaux Arts, by Louis Kamper 360 ft
-
First Unitarian Church
House of worship, built 1890, Romanesque revival, by Donaldson & Meier, demolished 2014
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
420 ft
- Henry P. Pulling House Historic home, in Brush Park 420 ft
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- Fine Arts Theatre from the street today Photo: Street View, 2026
Sources
Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.